Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

PHOTO BY DEBBIE ALLEN Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Amateur Series Round 13: Ironman Robinson Tops Ironman, Watkins Second for Season By DEBBIE ALLEN CRAWFORDSVIW, IN, OCT. 23 T he Irooman event brought closure to a very long season for the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Amateur Series. Crawfordsville, Indiana, introduced the top five for each of its 34 classes. and it ended the biggest battle of them all. Racing in the 250cc A class, Scott Watkins beat out the battle for this season's second-place hot spot, while Moose/GPR/Pro Circuit/Maxxis-backed Jesse Robinson continued his impressive moves into victory lane with his fourth win in a row. The Iron man was definitely a place to be for good racing and fun. The GNCC's grand finale scheduled several events, a live band, and a minibike race. But nothing beat the adventure of watching the Team Green battle for second place in points. Prior to the race, Travis Green was in the points lead, while Watkins was setting his sights on second. '~II needed was to have Travis be a couple places behind me," Watkins said. "I had a good year and didn't get hurt, so that's really about aillhat anyone could ask for." Watkins knew what he had to do to take the prize, and he worked his way into second place at the lronman, four places in front of Green. "Off the start," said Robinson, "everybody was riding faster, but I just stayed behind Scott and Thad Duvall. We kepI a good pace going and pulled away from the rest, switching back and forth the entire time." The 250cc A front-runners freight-trained throughout the entire seven laps raced. Robinson came through the score tent in first place, but Watkins and Duvall were right on him. On the sixth lap, Watkins fell, giving Duvall a taste of second place, but it was short-lived. On their last lap, Watkins put his head down and cruised into an 11th-place-overall finish, while Robinson got 10th. Duvall finished in third place, getting everyone's attention. Earlier this year at the Wisp, he won the championship for the 200cc B class. Then he made a move to the 200cc A class and got a second, a third, and a win - which is impressive, since he's not even 16 years old. Green's outcome was not so bad, considering his sixth-place Ironman finish. He ended this season in third place in the 250cc A class, and comparing this season's overall to the class finish, Green walked away with 16th overall, while Andrew's Racing-supported Watkins earned 17th, and Robinson got 19th. Of course, Charles Mullins got the Top Amateur Award early in the season, getting fourth place overall at Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch. Then he moved to the Pro class and got two seconds and a third, ending his season with a number-four plate. The morning race saw a new face. Racing in the Sportsmen's class, Shawn jackson took the overall, while Industry's Shane Nalley and Neal Vanway finished out the podium. Their biggest struggle was the hill located near the fourth- Thundercross East Coast Four-Stroke Nationals Final Round: Echeconnee Off Road Park Kilbarger, Sa~lor Top Thundercross Finale place, with 23 Pro riders trying to take the lead. It didn't take long for Levi Kilbarger. on his MACON, GA, OCT. 30 Cernics Honda, to pull away. Honda man Chad Jhe final race of the Thundercross East Charbonneau made the trip from the New I Coast Four-Stroke Nationals is in the Hampshire and earned some gas money with a books. One of Georgia's favorite tracks, solid second place in the first moto. Chris Echeconnee Off Road Park, hosted the final McCorkel, on an RHS Honda, kept his head round. The track was perfectly prepped and down and his throttle pinned to earn the final ready to provide the Pros with a challenge. podium spot in the first moto. Shaun Skinner Grab a seat. because they're on the gate! took the fourth-place points with a solid ride on When the first 250cc Four-Stroke moto his fast Suzuki. Yamaha specialist Chad Ward launched off the line, the first tum was a busy took the fifth-place spot after a great start and a solid effort. In the second mota, Kilbarger once again started opening up a sizable lead. Skinner had his Suzuki's throttle pinned, and he earned the second-place money in the final moto. Broc Tickle, on his Serious Racewear Honda, finished a solid third for the final step of the podium. Charbonneau Brae: TlCkl. (948) and Jacob 5ayIor (198) do battle at finished up fourth in the final moto. Kyle Keast had Macon, Georgia's Echeconnee Off Road Park. By BILLY ATKINSON 42 NOVEMBER 30, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS mile marker. "When I got to the big hill, I flipped down it," Nalley said, "and there were so many people, I didn't want to wimp out. I tried it again and flipped down it again. The third time, I was pretty far back, but on the last lap, I saw jackson. Nathan Kanney's mechanic. I caught up to him but really needed another half of a mile." eN IRONMAN CRAWFORDSVIW, INDIANA RUULTs: OCTOBER 23, 200S (ROUND 13) 250 A: I.}esse Robinson (Kaw); 2. Scon Walkins (Kaw); J. Thad Duvall (Yam); 4. Nathan Alering (Suz); S. Chris Galt (Kaw). OPEN A: I. Gregory Ginlan (Hon); 2. Marty Michels (Hw); J. Chris Buzzelli (KTH); 4. Dave Simcock (Hon); S. Jake Young (KTM). 100 A: I. Todd Morain (KTM); 2. Christopher Vanhoose (KTM); l. Morgan Green (Kaw); 4. Justin Tucker (Yam); S. Rob McGee (Hus). 4·STRK A (0-300): I. Mike Milhalik (Hon); 2. Jonathan Woodford (Kaw); l. Brad Spevock (Suz); 4. Keith Jeziorski (Suz); S. Jimmy Woodford (Kaw). '-STRK A (lO I +), I. T,oy lee (KfM); 2. J""'" Hen (Hon). VET A:. I. John Maschino (GG); 2. Phil Smith (KTM); J. Kevin Kom (Suz); 4. John Roth (Yam); S. Eric Church (Suz). SR A: I. Keith RDge" (Yom); 2. "'"""I H _ (S< R.heo- (Hen): S. Tilman McDaniel (Suz). 4-STRK C (300+): I. Jason Law (Hon)j 2. Kyle Carriso (Hon); 3. Christopher Rupp (Hon); 4. Shawn Royer (KTM); S. Steve Endres (Yam). VET C (30+): I. Jerfrey Carter (Kaw); 2. John Huetc.her (KTM); l. Joey Stanley (KTM); 4. Eric Terrell (KTM); S. James Kerker (Han). SPTSMN: I. Shawn jackson (Yam); 2. Neal Vanway (Yam): J. Ridwd IluOOoo (KTM); •. Ryan MuOn (Yom); 5. T..... fra;1ey (Yam). SR C (40+): I. John Cramer (KTM); 2. Steve Bowmer (Suz); l. Charles Uphold (KTM); 4. Hark Ashley (KTM); S. David Frailey (Yam). WMN: I. Amanda Mastin (Yam); 2. Kelly Han (KTM); J. Audrey lockhart (Yam). B/W (85.105): ,. Ted Munins (Kaw): 2. Duell Murphy (Kaw): l. Ryan Finne! (Han); 4. Jonlan)oMo (Kaw); 5. H..-...h M Levi Kllbarger on the gas and on the way to victory in the 25Dcc Four-Stroke class at the final round of the Thundercross East Coast Four-Stroke Nationals. (Hon); 8. Kyle Keast (Hon); 9. Stephen Stella (Kaw); 10. Beniamln Hvnikon (Hon). 450 ....STRK: I. Jacob Sayfor (Hon); 2. Bmc Tockle (Hon); l. Chad w"d (Yom): •. )ase Lewis (Hon); 5. l.eYI KJlbo<-geo- (Hon); 6. Kyle Keast (Hen): 7. Clint Shealy (502); 8. Braden Barnes (Han); 9. Benjamin Hamikon (Han); 10. Garrett Edhlsten (Kaw). ..... _ResuIts 250 .-STR'" I. Bnx Tockle (Hen); 2. l.eYI lGibvJle' (Hon); 3. Stephen Stella (Kaw); 4. Chad Ward (Yam); 5. Lopn M",;n (Hen). 'SO 4-STRI(, I. Jacob Saytoo- (Han): 2. Brae Ticlde (Hon); l. Chad Ward (Yam); ... Levi Kilbarger (Hon); 5. jose Lewis (Hen).

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